Library Policies

Borrower Confidentiality

Under California law, library patron records and circulation records are confidential. The Library will not disclose any information concerning user library registration or circulation activity to non-library staff, except under legal constraint.

Gifts / Donations

The SMC Library accepts donations of books and periodicals that meet our regular selection criteria. This criteria includes such factors as subject matter, copyright date and condition of the item(s). Upon acceptance, the gift becomes the property of SMC Library. If the library decides not to add the gift to our collection, we reserve the right to dispose of the item as we see fit (usually by donating the item to another library).

The Library is happy to acknowledge receipt of donations in writing, but does not write letters itemizing the gifts or placing monetary value on the donation.

Hours of Service / Operation

In order to meet the needs of the students and staff of Santa Monica College, full library services are provided during all academic sessions. The Library’s schedule of operation is based on the College’s academic calendar; the Library is closed on College holidays and when classes are not in session. A voice message on the main library phone number provides users with current library hours and upcoming holidays.

Reference Service

We provide service at the Reference Desk, limited telephone service, e-mail response and chat assistance for all library users.

Requests to Page Patrons

The Library does not page patrons or search for them in the library. In case of an emergency, campus police shall be notified, and the police will search for the person on campus.

The Library strives to maintain a physical environment that is conducive to academic learning. Library users whose behavior disrupts this environment will be required to leave the building. In addition, all Library users are required to follow direction given to them by Library employees. Library users are expected to adhere to all Library and College policies.

Food and Drink in the Library

In an attempt to keep the building clean, sanitary and pest-free, the Library does not allow food or drink in the building. Library visitors who violate this policy may be asked to leave the building.

Noise in the Library

The Santa Monica College Library strives to maintain an environment that is quiet and conducive for research and study for all users. Library users whose behavior disrupts this environment may be asked to leave the building. Examples of prohibited behavior include, but are not limited to, loud talking, using cell phones, playing games and using audio-visual equipment without headphones.

Children in the Library

The Library is geared to the use of college-level students and other adults. Librarians and other staff cannot be responsible for monitoring children. Since the Library wishes to provide an atmosphere conducive to study and research, parents or guardians of children who cause disturbances by crying, running, making noise, or exhibition of other disruptive behavior must remove the children from the Library.

Parents or guardians may not send children to the Library without the supervision of an accompanying responsible parent or adult guardian, nor may they leave children in the Library without the supervision of a responsible parent or adult guardian.

Use of Library Computers

The computing and networking facilities in Santa Monica College Library are provided to support the educational and curriculum-related research needs of Santa Monica College. The Library supports free access to research materials and the use of computing technologies to identify, locate and use scholarly resources. Library computing and networking users must comply with the Santa Monica College Student Computer Use Policy

Permissible Use

The Library will monitor usage of library computer workstations to ensure security and operating performance of its systems and networks. Patrons will inform Library staff of equipment problems and are not allowed to tamper with the system.

Students, faculty, and staff with valid Santa Monica College identification cards have priority over other users. The number of Internet access workstations is limited. The Library reserves the right to reclaim workstations being used for personal or recreational purposes, such as writing letters or surfing the World Wide Web, and to reassign them to patrons who need to identify or access research materials or complete coursework assignments.

Patrons may use computing and networking technologies in the Library with the following restrictions:

A. The use is not for illegal acts under federal or state law, pornography, or gambling.

B. The use does not result in commercial gain or private profit (other than allowable under University intellectual property policies).

C. The use does not violate federal or state laws or College policies on copyright and trademark.

D. If the use is personal or recreational, it does not prevent use by another College community member for legitimate College work.

Borrowing Policies

The Santa Monica College Library is committed to providing quality service and an excellent collection of materials to support the mission, goals, educational, and research needs of students, staff, faculty, administration, and community users and in support of the College’s diverse curriculum. The Library is open to all Santa Monica College students and staff and community members; borrowing privileges are described in the Borrowing Privileges Policy.

Borrowing Privileges

The Santa Monica College Library is open to students and staff of the College, as well as members of the community. Reference service will be provided to all who come into the library in person, as well as phone reference for Santa Monica College staff. Current Santa Monica College students’ and staff identification cards serve as their library cards and automatically have borrowing privileges; others may qualify for borrowing privileges through one of the categories listed below. Library cards are not transferable, and library users are responsible for all items borrowed on their card. Lost or stolen library cards (or student or staff SMC identification cards) should be reported to the library immediately.

Community Patrons

Library users who are not SMC students or staff may apply to purchase a community patron library card. The cost of the card is $20.00 and is valid for one year from date of purchase. Two pieces of ID are required, including at least one photo ID and one with applicant’s current street address. Community patrons may check out up to five items at one time. Borrowing privileges will be terminated if fines owed to the Library exceed $10.00.

High School Students

High school students may apply for a free courtesy library card. Application requires a signature from one parent of the applicant, and applicant must show current high school identification. Library card is valid until end of SMC’s Spring semester. High school students may borrow up to five items at one time. Borrowing privileges will be terminated if fines owed to the Library exceed $10.00.

Santa Monica College Volunteers

Free courtesy cards will be provided to volunteers at Santa Monica College with the approval of the head of the Library Department. Two pieces of ID are required, including at least one photo ID and one with applicant’s current street address. Courtesy card is valid for one year from date of purchase. Up to five items may be borrowed at one time. Borrowing privileges will be terminated if fines owed to the Library exceed $10.00.

Faculty Members at Community Schools and Universities

Faculty members at schools and universities in the Santa Monica area may apply for a free courtesy library card. Two pieces of ID are required, including photo-identification from their institution and one with applicant’s current street address. The courtesy card is valid for one year from date of purchase. Up to five items may be borrowed at one time. Borrowing privileges will be terminated if fines owed to the Library exceed $10.00.

Loan Periods

Loan periods vary depending on the type of patron and type of item. The following table describes the more common loan periods. All items are due at the end of each academic session, sometimes resulting in less than the normal loan period.

User Type

General Collection

Reference

Reserve

Periodical

Video - LRC

Video - Circulating

Student

2 weeks

Non-Circulating

2 hours, Library Use Only

2 hours, Library Use Only

3 hours, Library Use Only

3 days

SMC Staff

1 semester

Non-Circulating

2 hours

2 hours

3 hours

3 days

Community Users

2 weeks

Non-Circulating

2 hours, Library Use Only

2 hours, Library Use Only

3 hours, Library Use Only

3 days

Overdue Fines

Overdue items result in a suspension of circulation privileges until the matter is resolved. The Library produces overdue notices on a daily basis. Notices are a courtesy and failure to receive one does not constitute the waiving of any incurred fines.

User Type

General Collection

Reference

Reserve

Periodical

Video - LRC

Video - Circulating

Student

$0.25 / day

Non-Circulating

$0.50 / hour

$0.50 / hour

$0.50 / hour

$1.00 / day

Community Users

$0.25 / day

Non-Circulating

$0.50 / hour

$0.50 / hour

$0.50 / hour

$1.00 / day

There is a $15.00 maximum fine per overdue item.

Lost or Damaged Materials

It is the borrower’s responsibility to care for items borrowed from the library. If an item is lost or damaged, a replacement fee will be charged. Notices of bills are prepared on a weekly basis. Notices are a courtesy and failure to receive one does not constitute the waiving of any incurred fines. All fees are collected at the Main Library circulation desk.

Lost Materials

Items not returned to the Library within 30 days after the due date will be considered lost. Borrowers will be billed for the replacement cost of the item, or the average replacement cost for books in the subject area, usually between $35.00 and $75.00. In addition, a $15.00 processing fee will be charged.

Damaged Materials

Items returned to the Library in a damaged condition will be charged a fee. Price will be determined at time item being returned and will be based on what is required to repair the book. Examples: item needs to be rebound, bindery fee will be charged; barcode or spine label missing, $5.00 processing fee will be charged. If it is determined that item cannot be repaired, charge will be the same as for a lost item.

Refunds

If a lost and paid for item is found and returned to the Library in good condition within three months of payment, the Library will issue a refund, minus the $15.00 processing fee. Receipt of payment must be presented to receive the refund.

Holds on Students’ College Records

When a student accrues over $15.00 of charges (overdue fines and/or lost material) a hold will be placed on the student’s college record, preventing the student from registering for future classes, obtaining grades, transcripts, etc. The hold from the student’s record will be removed when the library materials are returned and/or fines are paid.